Suez Crisis

The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, was operated by the Suez Canal Company, which had been controlled by British and French interests. Relations between Egypt and the two European powers were strained by disputes over influence and Egypt’s postcolonial sovereignty. On 26 July 1956, Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the company. Egypt said it would compensate shareholders; the canal's revenues were also intended to help finance the Aswan High Dam after the United States and Britain withdrew their offer of financing. Britain and France opposed the nationalization and sought a settlement that would restore international control.

Diplomatic efforts failed to resolve the dispute. In a secret arrangement with Britain and France, Israel invaded Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on 29 October 1956. Britain and France then issued an ultimatum and landed forces in the Canal Zone in early November, claiming they were intervening to separate the combatants and protect the canal. The United States opposed the invasion and pressed its allies to accept a United Nations ceasefire. The General Assembly called for a ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign forces, and authorized the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF I) to supervise the cessation of hostilities.

The ceasefire took effect on 6 November 1956. British and French forces withdrew from the Suez Canal Zone by 22 December. Israel completed its withdrawal from occupied Egyptian territory by 8 March 1957. Egypt retained control of the canal, which had been blocked during the conflict and was cleared with United Nations assistance. Nasser’s position and Egyptian nationalism were strengthened; Britain and France suffered a marked loss of influence in the region. The crisis also strained relations between Washington and its European allies.

UNEF I was the first United Nations peacekeeping force. Unlike an enforcement operation, it operated with the consent and cooperation of the parties and was tasked with supervising withdrawals and helping maintain a buffer and impartial ceasefire supervision. It remained on Egyptian territory with Egypt’s consent until the Egyptian government requested its withdrawal in 1967. The crisis demonstrated the influence of the United States and the Soviet Union in the Cold War era and accelerated the decline of British and French imperial power in the Middle East.